Signal lamp



Dec. 3, 1946. I F. J. OFARFIEILL 2,411,935

SIGNAL LAMPS Filed Nov. 7, 1944- .72 FRANK J. OFARRELL,

- INVENTOR.

LL, a /3 I Patented Dec. 3, i946 UNITED STATES PATENT 1 OFFICE I2,411,935 2 I L SIGNAL LAMP Frank J. OFarrell, Burbank, Calif.Application November '1, 1944., Serial No. 562,321

6 Claims. (01. 240-48) This invention relates to signal lamps for use ontransports, whether vehicles, ships or air-' planes.

Speaking more specifically, the invention pertains to signal lamps forthe above stated uses which are rotatably mounted in a set, allthe lampsof the set being adjustable simultaneously to focus their light raysupon a point located at predetermined selected distances in advance ofthe automobile or other transfer means equipped with the invention.

The vehicle lamps which have heretofore been in use have no meanswhereby the driver may change the point of focus to suit varying weatherconditions. Also there is a lack of clear vision directly ahead and oneither side in foggy, rainy or snowy weather, when a poor warning isafforded of an approaching vehicle.

This invention overcomes the foregoing defects by combining a pluralityof revolving lights in such a manner that their beams intersect at thedesired point in advance of the vehicle, thus, if for example threelampsare used, multiplying the light three times.

Furthermore, the invention provides for changing the point ofintersection of the beams of light from a set of rotating lamps, by theuse of a rheostat speed control (located on the instrument panel),whereby the point at which the beams intersect may be moved closer to orfarther away from the vehicle as changing weather conditions demand.

The aforesaid rheostat speed control also enables the driver to lowerthe intersecting beams from the lamps, thus preventing any glaringeffect upon the eyes of an approaching motorist.

The device provided by this invention produces light beams which, afterintersecting, will spread and will illuminate both right and left aswell as ahead.

When the device is installed on railway trains, the revolution of theplurality of lights will attract the attention of approaching motoristsa farther distance away from crossings and will therefore moreefficiently warn them of approaching trains.

I Referring to the accompanying drawing, which illustrates what is atpresent deemed to be a preferred embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the device.

Fig. 2 is a section thereof on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a wiring diagram.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the motor 5 is furnished with atubular shaft 6 having an internally screwthreaded outer end portioninto which is screwed, to rotate therewith, a screw threaded rod or stemI which projects axially from and is shown as an integral part of a tree8 having triplet limbs 9. Each of said limbs 9 carries at its outer enda semicircular yoke or bifurcation I0 between the extremities of whichis pivotally supported at Illa at diametrically opposite points the wideend portion of a semi-e1- liptical lamp casing II, it being understoodthat the term semi-elliptical means that the lamp casing comprisesone-half of an elliptical figure divided at a right angle to its longaxis. From the convex end of said lamp casing projects an axial lug i2to which is pivoted at l3 the bifurcated head M of a threaded stem l5that is screwed into a tube I6, said tube, in turn, being in partcontained slidably in one of the three tubular arms ll of a spider [8,the central por tion of which is apertured to fit around the motor shaft6 and is secured to said shaft by means of a set screw 19.

Each tube [6 has a pair of diametrically op posits-longitudinal slots2i,v and through both theseslots passes a pin 22 having its ends fixedto opposite side of the tubular arm H. The innerend of each tube I6 isclosed by a disk 23 welded or otherwise secured therein. Between saiddisk and the pin 22 is placed a spiral compression spring 24.

Each lamp casing H contains a lamp 25 provided with a parabolicreflector 26, said reflector having a suitable lens 21 and the inner endthereof, together with the lamp 25, being provided .with a suitablemounting means 28.

The electrical connection between the source of power and the rotatinglights is made through the three leads 30 which are in circuit withcarbon brushes 3| making contact with metal collars 32 fixed to themotor shaft 6.

Wires 33 connected to a suitable source of power as for example abattery not shown are conductors for energizing the lamps ll.

The motor 5 is connected by conductors 34 and 35 to a suitable source ofpower, as earlier explained, there being included in the circuit formedby said conductors a rheostat 36 and field 31. The rheostat 36 ispreferably mounted within convenient reach of the driver so that when ashorter focus of the lamps is desired over what is normally provided forby the setting of the focus for a particular motor speed, an adjustmentof the rheostat arm 38 will cause a faster speed of the motor andtherefore a greater projection of the arms is due to the increasedcentrifugal force, in turn causing the rays of light from the lampstructures to intersect the produced axis of the shaft at a shorterdistance from the device.

Thus the pyramiding of the rays from the lamps to intersect at selectivedistances in front of the vehicle to intensify the light penetration offogs of different densities Will afford the driver a clearer View forsafe driving.

What I desire to claim is:

1. In a device of the kind described, a shaft, means whereby said shaftis rotatably supported, a plurality of limbs carried by and extendingradially from said shaft, a lamp structure carried by each of said limbsand arranged to direct a beam of light across the produced axis of saidshaft, said lamp structure being pivotally supported for pivotaladjustment .in a plane extending along the axis of said shaft and radialthereto, and means rotating with said shaft controlled by centrifugalforce automatically to swing all of said lamp structures in unison tovary the distance from the device at which the beams of light from saidlamp structures intersect the produced axis of said shaft, the lattermeans comprising a spider having tubular arms which extend radially fromsaid shaft and which are furnished with extensible portions pivotallyconnected with the rear portions of said lamps.

2. In a device of the kind described, a shaft having a screw-threadedbore leading into an end portion thereof, a tree for carrying lamps,said tree having a stem screwed into said bore, a plurality of lampshaving casings carried by said tree in radially spaced relations to saidshaft, means to rotate said shaft together with said tree and lamps,said lamp casings having front portions pivotally connected with saidtree to swing in planes alining with the axis of said shaft, and meanscarried by said shaft and radially extensible in relation to it, saidextensible means being connected with the rear portions of said lamps tomove outwardly under the urge -of centrifugal force caused by therotation'of said shaft and including springs which oppose said=outwardmovement.

3. In a device of the kind described, a shaft having a screw-threadedbore leading into an 'end portion thereof, a, tree for carrying lamps,

said tree having a stem screwed into said bore, a plurality of lampshaving casings carried by said tree in radially spaced relations to saidshaft, means to rotate said shaft together with said tree and lamps,said lamp casings having front portions pivotally connected with saidtree to swing in planes alining with the axis of said shaft, and aspider having a central portion surrounding said shaft, .said spiderhaving arms which extend radially from said shaft and which arefurnished with extensible portions pivotally connected with the rearportions of said lamps, and springs carried by said arms to oppose theirextension under the urge of centrifugal force caused by the rotation ofsaid shaft.

4. The subject matter of claim 3, and said extensible spider armscomprising radially inner and .outer tubular arms, said arms beinglongitudinally slidable in relation to each other, said outer armshaving screwed into them threaded stems which at their outer ends arepivotally connected to the rear portions of said lamps.

5. In a device of the kind described, a shaft, means whereby said shaftis rotatably supported, a plurality of limbs carried by and extendingradially from said shaft, a lamp structure 'carried by each of saidlimbs and arranged to direct a beam of light across the produced axis ofsaid shaft, said lamp structure being pivotally supported for pivotaladjustment in a plane extending along the axis of said shaft and radialthereto, means rotating with said shaft controlled by centrifugal forceautomatically to swing all of said lamp structures in unison to vary thedistance from the device'at which the beams-of light from said lampstructures intersect the produced axis of said shaft, a motor wherebysaid shaft is driven, conductors forming acircui-t in which said motoris included, and a rheostat in said circuit operable to vary the speedof said motor thereby -to cause the beams of the lamps to intersect theproduced axis of said motor driven shaft at varying distances from thevehicle.

6. The subject matter of claim 1, and springs carried by 'said --arms tooppose their extension under the urge of centrifugal force caused by therotation of said shaft.

FRANK J. 'OFARREL'L.

